Glasgow Govan Community Policing Team (Campus Officer)
During the school session 2021-22, Police Scotland Campus Officers arranged and delivered an interschool football tournament within Greater Glasgow, incorporating six high schools from the South side of Glasgow.
The aim was to divert young people from criminality and anti-social behavior through integration and engagement in sports, while building positive relationships within the local community. This article sets out the process and the positive outcomes from this early intervention approach which contributes to the reducing the risk that young people will become involved in offending or re-offending.
Many young people can find it difficult to engage in face-to-face conversations with teachers, adults or persons they see as being in authority. As such, it can be challenging for School Campus Police officers to earn the trust of pupils and find a common pathway to breaking down barriers. Football, as a popular sport within the West of Scotland, can engage young people of all ages, sexes and backgrounds. By incorporating Campus Police Officers in a non-confrontational role, young people can see that there is a person behind the Police uniform, building trust and fostering positive relationships. Likewise, through engagement in sports, peer-to-peer relationships can be established, creating friendships and breaking down perceived social barriers.
During the early planning of the interschool football tournament, Campus Officers identified a group of vulnerable young people to participate in the event. The planning, preparation and delivery of the event was in collusion with these young people who were from different backgrounds, nationalities and religions
Working as a team, it was acknowledged that regular breaks and lunch were an important factor of the day. The young people reached out within the local community to businesses including Tesco who provided lunch, snacks and water for the event. This engagement challenged community perceptions of young people – who are often stereotyped through the behaviour of others. The young people met with staff who saw them as individuals, thus challenging previously held negative perceptions.
On the day of the tournament six schools converged at one venue. A responsibility was placed on the young people to ensure a safe and welcoming environment, a willingness to participate and a commitment to listen to the views of others. The young people rose to the challenge with rivalries put to one side as everyone contributed, both playing and supporting. This was especially prevalent at the presentation ceremony where pupils clapped, cheered and supported each other regardless of creed, race or religion. Such engagement would have previously been challenging if the time and energy not been expended to gain the trust, understanding and co-operation of the young people.
By the tournaments conclusion, the aims of the event were achieved with the young people improving their physical and mental health, respecting each other as individuals and positively engaging with the community.
Positive relationships were also established with School Campus Police
Officers who continue to engage with and support the young people, providing tools to better prepare them for future life choices.
